Amber’s ‘Shake That Brass’ most viewed K-pop video in U.S.

The music video for girl group f(x) member Amber’s “Shake That Brass” became the most-watched K-pop music video in the U.S. for February, according to Billboard. The 22-year-old singer topped the list with the video clip for the lead single “Shake That Brass” of her solo debut EP “Beautiful,” released in February. Also, the American-born Chinese singer’s video for the EP’s eponymous track earned her the No. 3 spot on the list. A still from the music video for “Shake That Brass” by Amber. (SM Ent

March 15, 2015

Kim Jang-hoon fined for smoking on plane

Singer Kim Jang-hoon was fined for smoking on board a Korea-bound plane from France, the court said Sunday. The Incheon District Court handed down a fine of 1 million won ($890) against the 50-year-old singer for violating the domestic aviation safety law. He would otherwise have to complete 10 days of manual labor, the court said. Kim was indicted in January after smoking a cigarette on Dec. 15 in the lavatory of a Korean Air plane bound for Incheon from Paris. During police questioning, Kim re

March 15, 2015

Singer Kim Jang-hoon fined for in-flight smoking

(Yonhap)South Korean pop singer Kim Jang-hoon, who is known for philanthropy, has been fined for smoking aboard a home-bound plane from France in December, a local court said Sunday.  The Incheon District Court said Kim will have to pay 1 million won ($878) for smoking inside a lavatory on a Korean Air flight to Incheon International Airport from Charles de Gaulle Airport on Dec. 15. Otherwise, he will have to complete 10 days of manual labor, it added.  The 50-year-old was summarily indicted in

March 15, 2015

Kim Hyun-joong may join Army in late March

South Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong confirmed that he will enlist in the mandatory military service on March 31, local media reported Thursday. Kim, 28, will reportedly undergo training at the 9th Army Battalion in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, at the end of the month, before going on active military duty.“Kim planned to enlist in the Army within this year. He appears to have made up his mind after winding up his schedule,” a news outlet quoted a source as saying. Kim’s label KeyEast Enter

March 12, 2015

EXO sings new songs, but still quiet about album’s release

The 10 mega idols of EXO offered a glimpse into their much-anticipated new single “Call Me Baby,” showcasing nine new songs at a concert in Seoul on Sunday. During a news conference before the concert performance at the Seoul Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium, the members revealed that while no exact date had been set, they are hoping to release the upcoming album’s title track “Call Me Baby” shortly after the conclusion of the five-day local concert series ― The EXO’luXion.“I can’t give away to

March 9, 2015

Super Junior’s Dong-hae, Eun-hyuk talk ‘growing pains’

Leaving their comical antics behind, Dong-hae and Eun-hyuk of monster K-pop idol group Super Junior have finally taken their duo ballad efforts to new beginnings with the unveiling of Super Junior D&E’s first domestic full-length album, “The Beat Goes On.”After debuting back in 2011 with the hit electro pop-dance single “Oppa, Oppa,” D&E has been sparse in its musical releases with the last locally released digital single being “Still You” in 2013. Following its release, D&E went on to produce a

March 8, 2015

2NE1, Big Bang win at YouTube awards

Alongside some of the global music world’s biggest names such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Pharell Williams, K-pop megastars 2NE1 and Big Bang solidified their place as two of YouTube’s top artists by being selected for the 2015 YouTube Music Awards. This year the world’s largest video sharing site has recognized 50 music artists from across the world who showed the most significant growth in YouTube views, subscribers and engagement over the past six months. Collectively, all 50 artists including

March 3, 2015

MC Mong tops charts with ‘Love Jumble’

MC Mong has brushed off his past public controversies to reclaim his place at the top of the charts with his newest EP, “Song For You.” MC Mong. (Wellmade Yedang)MC Mong’s newest album dropped on Monday and the lead track “Love Jumble” immediately began to climb the real-time Top 10 music charts and reached the No. 1 spot on six charts including Mnet, Melon and Olleh. The EP comes just four months after the release of MC Mong’s comeback album “Miss Me or Diss Me,” his sixth studio album, which d

March 2, 2015

Gain to return with new solo album ‘Hawwah’

K-pop starlet Gain, the youngest and arguably most popular member of girl group Brown Eyed Girls, will be dropping her solo album “Hawwah” this month. Gain. (APOP)According to Fortune Entertainment on Monday, Gain’s new album is scheduled to be released on March 12 and will feature two lead singles by famed producer Jo Young-chul.The agency also unveiled a teaser image of the starlet with an edgy new persona, sporting short messy blue hair. The album’s title “Hawwah” is Hebrew for the biblical c

March 2, 2015

K-pop star Se7en and YG to part ways

It has been reported that popular K-pop singer Se7en will not be returning to his long-time agency, YG Entertainment, following his military discharge this past December. According to news reports on Wednesday, despite the seemingly amicable relationship between Se7en and officials at YG, it appears that the artist has decided not to renew his management contract, which expired just prior to his military enlistment in 2013. Although rumors of his potential future free-agency had circulated years

Feb. 25, 2015

Kim So-eun not yet ready for marriage

Kim So-eun has no plans to get married until she is 30, she revealed in an interview to Korean fashion and entertainment magazine At Star1, in its March issue released Wednesday. (At Star1 magazine) The 25-year-old actress, currently starring in MBC reality show "We Got Married," said she is focusing on her career."Whenever I'm asked when I would like to get married, I say that I don't have any plans until I’m 30 ... until then, I'm going to work like a cow."Kim, who recently denied being romant

Feb. 23, 2015

Lee Hyo-ri breaks a sweat in yoga poses for Cosmopolitan

(Cosmpolitan Korea magazine)Cosmopolitan Korea magazine accompanied Queen of K-pop Lee Hyo-ri to a yoga session in New York for their March issue, revealing photos and interview snippets online Tuesday.In the article titled "Healthy Body and Mind -- Hyori’s New York Yoga Life," the fashion magazine snapped the 35-year-old, who wears all Adidas sportswear, in various yoga poses."While living on the beautiful Jeju Island (off the coast of South Korea), I get a lot more me-time. I particularly get

Feb. 23, 2015

CeCi reveals first Park Shin-hye photos for upcoming March issue

(CeCi Magazine)CeCi magazine on Friday released photos from its fashion shoot with "Pinocchio" actress Park Shin-hye, who will grace the cover of its upcoming March issue.In the photos revealed by the Korean fashion and lifestyle magazine, Park gazes into the camera against a stunning backdrop of the Thai seaside and an azure blue sky. (CeCi Magazine) (CeCi Magazine)"Park, who has a healthy energy, took part in the photo shoot with ease, even under the blinding sunlight," a CeCi spokesperson sai

Feb. 23, 2015

Suzy goes natural in fashion spread

The local fashion magazine Nylon has revealed a pictorial of Suzy, member of K-pop girl group Miss A, on Tuesday. With the concept “Suzy’s natural look,” the-20-year-old singer and actress poses in tangled hair and nude tone makeup. The shoot took place in a Japanese restaurant-turned-home to convey her ordinary but lovely daily life. (NYLON)The magazine said she actively joined the photo shoot from the early stage of concept development. “Even my grandmother will like the photos as they are can

Feb. 23, 2015

4Minute looks alluring in CeCi

Local fashion magazine CeCi has revealed a pictorial of the K-pop girl group 4Minute, which has seen a surge in popularity since it released the single “Crazy.” (CECI)Magazine staff said the singers created a cheerful mood during the shoot, chatting on endlessly like good sisters. Hyuna did the photo shoot first and completed it just in 10 minutes, fully understanding the concepts and poses, the magazine said. The youngest member Sohyun won praise from others, striking seductive and sexy poses. 

Feb. 23, 2015

Bae Yong-joon splits with chaebol girlfriend, 14 years his junior

Korean actor Bae Yong-joon confirmed on Tuesday that he had separated from girlfriend Koo So-hee, who is 14 years younger than him, over a year since reports first broke that he had started dating the conglomerate vice president’s daughter.　KeyEast Entertainment revealed that that 42-year-old‘s relationship had ended, but declined to disclose specifics, citing privacy reasons.　(OSEN)Bae, who shot to international stardom with box-office hits like “Winter Sonata” and “April Snow,” was first spott

Feb. 17, 2015

Hallyu festival coming to Japan for the first time

KCON, the world’s largest hallyu convention, will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on April 22. Held annually in Los Angeles since 2012, KCON is coming to Asia for the first time this year and visiting Japan, where the hallyu sensation began.Hosted by Korean entertainment firm CJ E&M, KCON is a comprehensive festival of Korean culture, including fashion, beauty, food, and IT trends coupled with product marketing and live performances by K-pop stars.  Programs including a K-pop danc

Feb. 16, 2015

Crayon Pop teams up with Shinsadong Tiger

The bubbly members of Crayon Pop are gearing up to return to the stage with a roar, teaming up with K-pop hit-maker Shinsadong Tiger for the group’s next single.“This comeback is going to be awesome! Thank you for giving us such a great song,” the members of Crayon Pop wrote on their Facebook page on Tuesday, praising the producer.  K-pop producer Shinsadong Tiger (third from right) poses with the girl group Crayon Pop. (Chrome Entertainment)Shinsadong Tiger is one of K-pop’s most recognized pro

Feb. 10, 2015